"Hey." Eliana's voice was soft as she stepped off the platform, dragging her suitcase behind her.
Montpellier.
Seven hours on the TGV had left her drained, but the sight of her hometown stirred something restless inside her—excitement, nerves, and that deep ache of familiarity. She'd told Luca she needed a vacation, and to her surprise, he hadn't fought her.
All of them had encouraged her to go. They wanted to come along too, of course, the luxury of people who could drop their lives without a thought. But she had refused.
This was something she had to do on her own.
Elliot was already there, standing with a woman. She was striking in her simplicity, with long dark auburn in a simple dress.
Elliot stepped back, rubbing the back of his neck. "Long trip."
"Yeah," Eliana said softly. She adjusted the strap of her bag, forcing another smile. "But I needed it."
